If you’re getting into rugby, you may have noticed there is a lot of terminology to learn. These 80 rugby terms are some of the most commonly used in the sport and are essential for understanding the game. Whether it’s rugby union, rugby league, rugby sevens, or some other variation of the game, this glossary of rugby terms will serve as a handy reference whenever commentators, coaches, and players start using jargon you haven’t encountered before.
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Rugby positions and people
Understanding some of the rugby positions and people that are part of the game is one of the most basic things to know about rugby. These are some of the terms referring to these players and other individuals that are involved.
Back row: The back row includes the number eight and the two flankers on either side of the scrum.
Back three: The back three refers to the fullback and the two wings, who work together to cover the area behind the defensive line for kicks and line breaks.
Blindside: The blindside refers to the flanker who lines up on the weak side of the scrum, or the side that is closest to the touch line. Blindside flankers are responsible for defending against attacks on the short side.
Blood sub: A blood sub is a temporary substitute who replaces a player that is bleeding and needs medical attention. Blood subs may be replaced by the bleeding player once they are bandaged up, unlike regular substitutions which are permanent.
Front row: The front row includes the two props and the hooker, which are the leading edge of the scrum.
Loosehead: A loosehead prop lines up on the left side of the scrum against the opposing tighthead prop, with their head outside of the scrum.
Openside: The openside refers to the flanker who lines up on the strong side of the scrum, or the side that is farthest from the touch line. Openside flankers are responsible for quickly and aggressively pressuring the first receiver or runner out of the scrum.
Second row: The second row includes the two locks, which support the front row in the scrum.
The Sir: The referee is often referred to as The Sir or simply Sir by all involved in the match as a sign of respect and deference to their control of the game.
Tighthead: The tighthead prop lines up on the right side of the scrum, with their head in between the opposing loosehead prop and hooker.
TMO: The TMO is the “television match official” responsible for validating a referee’s calls on the pitch by reviewing scoring plays or close calls that need additional oversight.
Touch judge: Touch judges are lined up on either side of the pitch to monitor the touch lines and assist the referee in any calls that may occur in their line of sight. They are sometimes referred to as “ARs” or assistant referees.
Rugby play and tactics
When learning how to play rugby, you’re bound to hear these terms often. From the way teams run with the ball to what happens after a tackle, you’ll want to understand this vocabulary if you’re looking to excel on the pitch.
Attack: When a team possesses the ball, they are the attacking team or “on the attack.”
Blitz: Blitz defense is a tactic in which the defense runs up to the attacking line quickly and attempts to disrupt play by entering passing channels and making tackles before the ball can be passed out wide.
Breakdown: The breakdown occurs when a tackle is made and includes the forming of a ruck by the attacking team to attempt to secure the ball.
Counter-ruck: A counter-ruck is an attempt to overpower the attacking team’s ruck so the defense may legally turn over possession of the ball.
Crash: A crash, also referred to as a “crash ball,” is a hard line that’s run back towards the inside of the pitch, usually intended to suck defenders in and set up the wide ball.
Dummy runner: A dummy runner is an attacking player that runs a sharp line at a gap and calls for the ball, distracting the defense to create an opportunity for the ball carrier to pass to another player in space.
Dump tackle: A dump tackle is a technique in which the ball carrier is lifted from the ground and brought down with the tackler going to ground on top of them. If a dump tackle results in a ball carrier being dropped on their head or neck, they may result in a penalty or a card.
Gate: The gate is formed when a player is tackled and a ruck begins to form. The width of the tackled player’s body forms the gate, which is a channel through which defenders must move in order to legally contest the ball.
Gain line: The gain line is the point of the field in which a phase begins. The attacking team will attempt to advance the ball beyond the gain line, while the defensive team will attempt to meet the attacking line at or before the gain line.
Hands: Hands refers to quick passes to each team member down an attacking line and is typically used to quickly move the ball from one side of the pitch to the other.
Jackal: A defensive player who steals the ball before a ruck is referred to as the jackal. The term may also be used as a verb to describe the process of stepping over a tackled player to secure possession of the ball for the defensive team.
Line break: A line break occurs when the attacking team breaks through the gain line to gain territory.
Loop: A loop as a movement in which a passing player runs behind the receiving player in a loop to rejoin the attacking line and extend it by one player.
Mark: Mark can have multiple meanings. It is the point on the pitch where a referee calls a penalty and allows the team awarded the penalty to restart play. Mark may also be called by a player receiving a kick within their own 22, which is akin to a fair catch in the NFL.
Maul: A rugby maul occurs when a ball carrier is held up by a defensive player and other members of the attacking team bind on and drive the ball carrier forward. Mauls are commonly formed after lineouts, but may also occur in open play.
Overs line: An overs line is a movement in which a runner cuts at a 45-degree angle toward the outside of the pitch. This may be used as a dummy line or as a way to quickly move the ball wide into an outside gap.
Phase: A phase refers to each segment of play between breakdowns. Each tackle marks the end of a phase, while recycling the ball marks the beginning of a new phase. Teams are permitted to possess the ball for unlimited phases so long as they commit no infractions or penalties.
Poach: Poaching is to steal the ball from a tackled player before the ruck forms. It is a synonym of the term jackal.
Pod: A pod refers to a group of players that forms up together to run as a unit. Pods are particularly useful in the forward pack to suck defenders in and set up a wide ball to the backs.
Ruck: The ruck occurs at the breakdown after a player is tackled. Attacking players will “ruck over” to clear out defensive players attempting to poach the ball and to seal the ball, securing possession until the ball is recycled to begin a new phase.
Switch: A switch is a movement in which two players run 45-degree angles opposite one another, giving the ball carrier the option to quickly change the direction of play by passing to the oncoming runner.
Tackle: A tackle occurs when a defensive player wraps up a ball carrier and brings them to the ground.
Touch: Touch refers to the out of bounds area, which is demarcated by the touch lines on either side of the pitch.
Unders line: An unders line is a movement in which a runner cuts a 45-degree angle toward the inside of the pitch. This may be used as a dummy line or as a way to quickly feed the ball into an inside gap and suck defenders in.
Rugby kicks and passes
There are several different techniques involved when kicking and passing a rugby ball, and each is useful in different situations. These terms are commonly used to describe the different kicks, passes, and related scenarios that occur during a rugby match.
50:22: A 50:22 occurs when a player kicks the ball from their own half of the pitch, it bounces at least once in play, and travels into touch beyond the 22-meter line of the opposition. A 50:22 results in a lineout to the kicking team at the point where the ball crossed into touch.
Dummy pass: A dummy pass is a fake pass intended to freeze a defender to create a momentary gap that a ball carrier may run through.
Offload: An offload is a pass that is made by a ball carrier after contact with a defender or being brought to ground.
Pop pass: A pop pass is a short pass that is left hanging in the air for an oncoming runner, such as when two players run a switch.
Box kick: A box kick is a high arcing kick directly from a ruck, usually executed by a scrum-half.
Drop kick: A drop kick is a kick that bounces off the ground before a player kicks it. Drop kicks are used for kickoffs, drop goals, and 22-meter drop-outs.
Free kick: A free kick, sometimes called a short-arm penalty, is awarded for technical offenses and serves to restart play while giving the kicking team a territorial advantage and ability to contest the kick for possession. A free kick may not be kicked directly into touch nor aimed at the goal for points.
Grubber: A grubber is a kick aimed at the ground and intended to bounce end over end. Players running onto a grubber will attempt to time their chase so they may collect the ball on a bounce without breaking stride.
Place kick: A place kick occurs from a tee and is most commonly used when attempting a penalty goal or conversion kick.
Pop kick: A pop kick is a high arcing kick intended for members of the attacking team to chase and reclaim to gain territory quickly.
Rugby set pieces
Set pieces are used to restart the game after minor infractions or particular scenarios. Since they are so instrumental in getting the game going again, knowing which set piece is occurring is key. These terms will help you stay aware of each set piece and why they’re important.
5-meter scrum: A 5-meter scrum occurs when a player is tackled within their own in-goal area. The scrum is awarded to the tackling team five meters away from the try line.
22-meter drop-out: A 22-meter drop-out occurs when a player grounds the ball in their own in-goal area. Their team then takes a drop kick from their own 22-meter line, allowing them to create some breathing room and contest for possession.
Lineout: A lineout occurs when the ball or a player goes into touch. It is akin to a “throw-in” in soccer. The key difference is, in a rugby lineout, members of each team’s forward pack will line up directly in front of the thrower to receive the ball. Various calls determine which part of the lineout the throw is intended to go to, and disciplined rugby teams will often have complicated schemes to confuse the defense.
Scrum: A scrum occurs when minor infractions, such as a knock-on, halt play. The rugby scrum involves the eight members of each forward pack binding together, while the attacking scrum-half feeds the ball in on the referee’s go ahead. Defensive scrums may attempt to overpower attacking scrums to regain possession of the ball.
Wheel: A wheel occurs when a scrum is turned 90 degrees and results in possession being awarded to the defensive team that successfully wheels the scrum.
Rugby scoring
Without scoring, there couldn’t be a winner. Understanding rugby scoring and the terms that are used to describe the various ways teams earn points is critical for figuring out who’s winning the game. These terms will help you keep tabs on who’s got the edge in a rugby match.
Bonus points: Bonus points are used in competitive fixtures and occur when a team scores four or more tries or when a losing team comes within seven points of the victor. This means winning teams may secure one bonus point and losing teams may secure up to two bonus points per match.
Conversion: A conversion is a kick at the goal following a try and is worth two points for a successful attempt.
Drop goal: A drop goal is a successful drop kick at the goal posts in open play and is worth three points.
Penalty goal: A penalty goal is a successful place kick at the goal posts following a penalty and is worth three points.
Penalty try: A penalty try is awarded when a defensive team commits a penalty that prevents what otherwise would have been a clear try. A penalty try is worth seven points — no conversion attempt is required.
Try: A try occurs when an attacking player grounds the ball in the in-goal area of the opposition. A try is worth five points and is followed by a conversion attempt. If successful, the conversion adds two points for a total of seven points for a converted try.
Try line: The try line is the line that demarcates the start of the in-goal area. It is the line on which the goal posts are positioned.
Rugby penalties and minor infractions
Sometimes, players make mistakes, and that’s why there are rugby penalties and minor infractions. These terms refer to violations of rugby laws or the consequences of those violations.
Advantage: Advantage is played when a minor infraction or penalty occurs but the referee allows the team that will be awarded the penalty to play on. Advantage offers an opportunity for the team to gain territory or potentially score after an infraction before play is stopped.
Diving over: Diving over occurs when a player leaves their feet in a ruck and results in a penalty.
Forward pass: A forward pass occurs when a ball carrier passes the ball forward, rather than laterally or backwards. A forward pass results in a scrum to the opposition.
High tackle: A high tackle occurs when a defensive player hits a ball carrier around the shoulders, neck, or head. High tackles result in a penalty and, depending on the severity and level of danger, may result in a yellow or red card.
Knock-on: A knock-on occurs when a player drops a ball forward off of their hands. A knock-on results in a scrum.
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